Ensure value for money as budgets tighten

Andrew Cross, Marketing Manager of Kestrel Aluminium Systems, explores why ensuring value for money for their investments is more important to housing associations than ever.

The social housing sector spent more than half their overall budget on maintaining and repairing existing properties in 2022, according to the latest figures from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

The RSH’s ‘2022 Value for Money metrics and reporting’ data showed that while reinvestment into existing properties has returned to pre-pandemic levels, rising inflation and borrowing costs are bringing new financial pressures to bear on housing associations looking to upgrade their properties.

Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of RSH, said: “Housing associations are faced with significant economic challenges, as well as multiple and competing pressures on their resources. Providers need to manage these difficult trade-offs and make best use of their resources, so they can continue to deliver their core objectives of providing safe, well-maintained homes for their tenants and invest in new homes.”

It’s clear that housing associations are facing challenging times as material costs continue to rise, especially given the government’s expectation that both public and private property landlords continue to make efficiency upgrades to the value of their properties.

Since April this year it has been an offence to continue to let or rent out a property if it does not have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least E, and this is expected to be raised to a C rating or higher for new lettings in 2025.

With these looming deadlines in mind, housing associations must choose renovation products that offer high efficiency, quality and low maintenance to make their budgets stretch as far as possible. Aluminium doors and windows, such as those manufactured by Kestrel Aluminium Systems, are a sensible and cost-effective option that offers high efficiency and sustainability, thanks to modern thermal break technology and the strong recyclable properties of aluminium itself.

Most importantly for housing associations, aluminium windows and doors are extremely low maintenance. Once installed they do not require repainting, sanding or treating – just a routine clean is all that is needed right across their 30 to 40year working life. They are also naturally corrosion resistant, making them extremely durable and damage resistant.

Kestrel has been supplying aluminium window and door systems for more than 30 years. The company offers excellent customer service and high-quality, reliable products that to allow projects to be completed on time and to a high standard.

For more information on Kestrel’s systems, visit www.kestrelaluminium.co.uk or call 0121 333 3575.

Image © Kestrel Aluminium Systems